Burn the Field, Grow the Vision

The following was written by ELP intern Macy Brookhouser.

Controlled burning is used by farmers to promote a healthier ecosystem. Though it requires a short-term sacrifice, burning a pasture and temporarily losing its use, the long-term reward is a lush, nutritious regrowth. This is an example of prudence: doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.

Similarly, when proposing ideas for the new United States Constitution, James Madison advocated for a National Veto. He believed this measure would promote unity by allowing the federal government to strike down any state laws that threatened national cohesion. However, his proposal failed to gain enough support due to concerns that it would make the national government too powerful and centralized. Instead of insisting on the veto, Madison shifted his energy toward backing the Virginia Plan. Though he experienced the short-term loss of not seeing the National Veto adopted, he chose to invest in a broader vision and focused his energy on backing the Virginia Plan. In the end, Many of the Virginia Plan's core principles, such as a strong federal government, a bicameral legislature, and separation of powers, became foundational to the Constitution. Like the farmer, Madison exercised prudence and accepted short-term disappointment in pursuit of long-term success.

Madison and the farmer both had a bigger goal in mind, so overcoming temporary loss was easier while keeping their eyes on the prize. Madison’s goal was to safeguard American values in government with prudence to ensure longevity. He wanted a strong government that would last. And the farmer’s goal is to sustain a thriving crop and healthy cattle.

Here at Convention of States, our long-term goal is not only to call an Article V convention, but to “build an engaged army of self-governing grassroots activists.”

This legislative season, we’ve experienced some short-term losses. In the Montana House of Representatives, the COS measure was ultimately defeated by a vote of 42–58. In South Dakota, the Senate approved SJR 502 by a vote of 23–9, but it did not pass out of the House, falling short at 29–38.

But despite these setbacks, we remain steadfast in our goal and have already seen encouraging steps toward our long-term vision. While the states may not have passed the COS resolution this time, we’ve gained more support, new allies, and passionate activists who are ready to push even harder in the next legislative season.

Each loss is a controlled burn—clearing the way for stronger, more unified growth.

To learn more about our Emerging Leaders Program, visit cosinternship.com today.